Learn A 'Foreign' Culture By Learning Another Language

KUALA LUMPUR, KOMPAS.com - These days, parents have expressed keen interest for their children to master other languages apart from Bahasa Melayu and English. For the non-Malays, this is an addition to their respective mother tongue.

To them there is nothing to lose by mastering more languages, but everything to gain.

"I want my child to be proficient in three languages. I picked Mandarin (as the third language). There are language centres where you can learn Mandarin, but why not opt for formal education in that language," said a parent Hazlinda Hamzah.

Hazlinda's words made the clock turned some 40 years for the writer, the day when his mother said that she wished to enrol his younger brother at a Chinese primary school. The school was SRJK(C) Yok Eng in Pasir Mas, Kelantan.

"I wanted your brother to know more than his mother tongue," she had said then.

Other culture

For social activist Fatimah Mansur, learning another language gives a person wider knowledge and understanding of the other culture.

To her a foreign language does not necessarily a language from another country, as Malaysia has a plural society with many languages.

"Without the ability to communicate and understand a culture in its own words, there will be no access to that culture.

"Understanding other cultures is important as lack of intercultural sensitivity can lead to mistrust and misunderstandings. Inability to cooperate, negotiate and compromise," she said.

Fatimah said a person competent in other languages can bridge the gap between cultures and promote national security.

She said learning a language which is 'foreign' to you takes time and dedication and that is a reason why some parents prefer to start their children early like enrolling them in vernacular schools SRJK (C).

Why learn more languages?

People learn languages everyday, said retired teacher Gurmukh Singh.

"There are a number of reasons for doing so. To learn a language is no longer something that can be simply done at school. Globalisation is changing the way we approach language learning".

According to Gurmukh if your in-laws or friends speak a different language, learning that language will help you to communicate with them directly. It is also the most effective way to learn about and appreciate their culture.

"You may find that information about subjects you are interested in is published mainly in another language which is foreign to you. Therefore learning that language will give you access to the material and enables you to communicate with others in the field," he said.

Arabic language

For nurse Jamiliah Othman, who went to work in Dubai, United Arab Emirates (UAE) for a few years, she learnt the Arabic language as part of her career advancement.

"Success in a career demands that people learn other languages. If your work involves regular contact with those who speak foreign languages, being able to talk to them in their own language will help you to build direct relationships with them," she said.

Telecommunications executive Agnes Cheng agreed.  "Knowledge of foreign languages may also increase your chances of finding a new job, getting a promotion, a transfer overseas or going on foreign business trips.

"Companies dealing with international markets are increasingly demanding better language skills of their workforce. In short, it helps you to be proficient in other languages including the foreign tongue," she added.

Fatimah who is used to travel abroad has this to say:

"Perhaps you are planning to go on a holiday abroad. It is always a good idea to learn some basic language phrases to help you to get by, like ordering food and drinks apart from finding your way around.

"If you have a more advanced knowledge of the language, you can have real conversations with the local people, which can be interesting and will add a new dimension to your holiday," she said.

Sources : http://english.kompas.com/read/xml/2009/10/18/04410240/learn.a.foreign.culture.by.learning.another.language